As U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan put it, "I am increasingly worried that our teachers, our administrators don't reflect the great diversity of our nation's students, and that is a real problem."

My heart goes out to every officer and their families killed in the line of duty. That is a pain I wish on no one. But like Fannie Lou Hamer famously said, I am also sick and tired of being sick and tired -- of the denial of institutional racism, even in the midst of overwhelming evidence.

This is a hard and terrible price that many black males must pay for the thuggish image that rap exploiters such as a Knight have capitalized on. It's even worse when some go the extra step and become killers themselves.

Writing inmates is an important task for us in the "free world." In the vein of Martin Luther King's letter crying "Why We Cant Wait," Comrade Malik writes us about current conditions in Texas prisons and specifically with the Houston Police Department and why we can't wait as prisoners are dying.

This is the sad reality for most people of color in this country, especially African American males. We are guilty until proven lucky. Not even guilty until proven innocent. And very rarely are we even given the benefit of the doubt.

It is clear that improving the successful admission into college and subsequent acquisition of professional degrees would go a long way toward improving the outlook for young men in crisis. But, change needs to start early on.

The double tragedy in the Garner slaying was, of course, his senseless death but also that his death does not alter the fact that the chokehold still remains on the official books as a weapon that police officers can use. For that, thank the U.S. Supreme Court.

Not only is the phenomenon of the single black woman with children ever increasing but now the single black woman is faced with the prospect of never being married and being happy with the single girl friends, a good job, and a miniature dog. One would question, what does that do for the fate of the black family?

In May 2004, comedian, social critic and philanthropist Bill Cosby took the stage at Constitution Hall in his hometown of Philadelphia. It was a gala commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Brown decision on school segregation.

Americans take a lot of pride in being members of a diverse society - one of opportunity for every citizen. When matters of racial disparity are raised, we point to our current President and pat ourselves on the back for how far we've come as a nation.

In our daily interactions with news and pop culture as well as anti-racist movements and protests, Black men become the representation of violence in America. However, Black women seem to fade into the background, as do the women who have raised them, cared for them, and loved them.

For the majority of unarmed black folks who everyday fear for their lives, despite them doing nothing wrong, my advice to you is stop leaving the house unarmed. Arm yourself with knowledge of the system, civics and politics

When my sons got their driver's licenses, I wasn't worried about the high cost of auto insurance or what car was best for them. I was terrified of what they would experience driving while black. It was time for "The Lesson" on how to survive when stopped by police.

From its cash-strapped school district and embattled police department, to its eye-popping poverty and unemployment rates, Philly presents real challenges and opportunities for those bold active citizens who dare to engage and transform the system.

Please know that I love Jay's music. He is quite possible the greatest rapper to ever step into a booth. But somewhere along the line his story (fatherless child turned drug dealer turned mogul) became the only acceptable answer to what is the "real" black male experience.

Yes, he did briefly attend Howard, studying for a business degree, but left after only two years to pursue his music dreams. Would his message to graduates undermine their hard work in earning their degrees?